Local leaders say recent community session on poverty an “integral” next step to address need in DeKalb County

DeKALB – State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, said a recent community event held to discuss poverty and inequity in DeKalb County will be “integral to shaping our approach to tackling poverty moving forward.”

“I never cease to be amazed by how much our community cares about each other,” Keicher said in a news release. ”As evidenced by all the local organizations and advocates who participated in last week’s listening session on our shared goal of eliminating the scourge of poverty,.”

A listening session was held Oc. 28 at Christ Community Church in DeKalb, and co-hosted by several local organizations and leaders including Keicher, the Family Service Agency of DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education, DeKalb County Community Gardens, Hope Haven, DeKalb County Coordinated Child Care, DeKalb County Mental Health Board, DeKalb County Health Department, DeKalb County Housing Authority, Safe Passage, Sir Donald Foundation, Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University.

“Thank you to each and every individual who contributed their time, their input and their concern for their neighbors on this issue critical to the health and future of local families,” Keicher continued. “I assure you that all the feedback we received will be integral to shaping our approach to tackling poverty moving forward.”

The listening session was held to discuss the unique experiences of those living in the DeKalb County region and how poverty has impacted local communities. The Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security will use the feedback to inform state policymakers and community leaders, with a mission “to eliminate poverty in Illinois over the next 15 years,” according to the news release.

The Commission will be hosting an additional listening session for rural leaders in the coming weeks, as well as four quarterly conversations in 2022 in partnership with Family Service Agency to confirm and follow-up on issues raised.

Jennifer Groce, commission member and NIU’s director of community promotion, organized the October listening session.

“Each and every one of our community partners and local nonprofit organizations contributed immeasurably to getting the word out to individuals and families they serve on how very much we want and value their feedback,” Groce said in a statement. “Each person can make a difference in the battle against poverty. We have collectively taken a significant step forward as a result of last week’s listening session.”